Footballer talking French with a funny accent

Languages have made the news again as Joey Barton, speaking in an interview after making his debut for Marseille, spoke in a mix of accents: Liverpudlian and French! His reason:'In my defence, it is very difficult to do a press conference in Scouse for a room full of French journalists". What do you think?

Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2011

Now we sometimes hear students saying that learning languages is hard (suspecting that they say this to every teacher of every subject...). However, check out Welsh! I've been watching SKY channel 134 S4C showing the Urdd National Eisteddfod 2011 - one of Europe's largest cultural festivals. I've taken a sound file recording of it too and will load it here when I get a mo...

Mlle Hardman

Reasons to learn languages

Last year, only 16% of those completing their GCSEs obtained the "English Baccalaureate", a new initiative of Education Secretary Michael Gove. The baccalaureate consists of five GCSEs: English, mathematics, a science, a humanity and a foreign language. Gove proposes that this be considered the benchmark of success, an idea which is not unreasonable considering that equivalent qualifications are already an expectation in most other developed countries.

The foreign language is the component which most often hinders a pupil in obtaining this qualification. Last year was the first year in which French was no longer one of the top ten GCSEs in terms of number of entries, a figure which has been falling ever since it became optional to study a language after the age of fourteen. Such little emphasis on the study of other languages, especially in comparison to our European counterparts where it is usually compulsory until the age of eighteen, is shocking, considering that:

• From 2012 entry onwards, it will be neccesary for all those applying to University College London to offer a language at GCSE level.


• Only medicine graduates enjoy a better rate of employment and higher level of salary than those who graduate in modern languages.


• Depite the common belief that "everyone speaks English", the figure is actually only 25%. It is also polite to attempt to speak to others in their own tongue when abroad, instead of arrogantly assuming a knowledge of English.


• Knowledge of another language improve's ones understanding of their own.


• However good a translation is, there is no substitute for Moliere, Brecht, Flaubert or Kafka in the original language.

These are just a few reasons why language learning is important, but widespread media concern over the decline in students choosing to study them does suggest that an overhaul in teaching methods and perhaps the curriculum is needed.

Qu'est-ce que vous pensez?

(source: timesonline)

Eruditio latin quod cupiditas

Sunday 21st November 2010 saw the launch of an exciting £2.5million campaign to restore the teaching of Latin and Greek to all state school students in Britain within ten years. With celebrity supporters such as Joanna Lumley, Boris Johnson and Tom Stoppard, the campaign, lead by classics enthusiast Bettany Hughes, aims to ensure that more than current 16% of state schools offer at least one of the subjects.

The learning of classical languages is proven to help British learners of romance languages, particularly of French, Spanish and Italian, for they already have a basic grounding in the grammatical patterns. In addition, however good a translation of a piece of literature, there are always some aspects which can only truly be appreciated if the piece is read in its original language. A wide range of classical literature in its original text would be opened up to people if they were equipped with the language skills. Learning Latin is also proven to improve pupils’ standards across the curriculum, particularly in English and Maths, and classics graduates can expect to enjoy a higher employment rate than the majority of other arts graduates.

Personally, I believe that the campaign is a brilliant idea, and hope it will be effective. A couple of years ago I had the chance to learn a small amount of Latin at Weald. Even the basics have proved to be helpful as I now attempt to read medieval French literature!

This information in this post was taken from an article published in “The Sunday Times” on 21/11/2010.

Crossing the Channel

As our closest European neighbours, it is unsurprising that many of the current affairs which affect France also impact us in England. On Monday, it became apparent that the French Coastguard is of the belief that a ban should be enforced against those who wish to challenge themselves by swimming the 21 miles from Dover to Calais to cross the English Channel. The main reason for this proposal was fear of an accident occurring. Those attempting the challenge must pass through the world’s busiest shipping lane, which sees over five hundred vessels pass through each day. Several organisations, including ferry operators, have warned that passing swimmers could cause a serious accident, despite assurance from the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation that the crossings are safe and well organised.

It is worth noting that France banned swimmers from using the Calais to Dover route seventeen years ago and also that no swimmer or support boat has ever caused an accident whilst completing the crossing. With this in mind, is the proposed ban a justified, or even necessary, measure?

Olivia, who is a keen swimmer in year 13, agrees that it would be a shame if the ban were to be enforced:

I think it would be a real shame to ban such an iconic event that many swimmers aspire to complete. I understand the obvious safety concerns, however, it is arguable that due to technological advances it is now safer than ever to swim the “Everest of open water”. I can only imagine the feeling of triumph and accomplishment is unparalleled and this should not be taken away from those who are able and determined to take up the challenge.

Why Learn Languages - (USA)

We are way behind in adding this to the blog (this video is from July 2008!), however related to current times nonetheless. Barack Obama illustrates the need for the American population to learn more languages. Interesting debates ensued in the American news highlighting language being very close to identity.

Importance of Languages NEWS FLASH

The recent media coverage of the Chilean miners rescue has highlighted the importance of languages in the global community. You only had to witness Tim Wilcox, prized journalist for the BBC, switching effortlessly into Spanish in order to interview the family of a miner and then translating the conversation back into English again for the viewers at home, to understand how much of an asset his knowledge of Spanish was to the BBC at this crucial time and indeed, for making him, usually the studio anchorman, the ideal man for the job abroad.

"And the other secret weapon the BBC had was its remarkable on-site anchor, Tim Wilcox. He is normally an anchor on the domestic BBC News channel but he was sent to Chile three weeks ago and he showed a remarkable change in persona anchoring on-site rather than from the studio. It was obvious how well he knew his story, that he knew and had spoken to all those involved – officials, family, and the like, his Spanish was impeccable in being able to interview family members and officials live and give instant translation – he was just so natural." (http://followthemedia.com/writeon/bbcchile14102010.htm)

His Twitter feed also shows the benefits of his language knowledge, as well as the power of Web 2.0 technologies:

Just spoke to the father of the first miner expected up, Florencio Avalos. Father Alfonso says he is excited but anxious.
1,286,908,596,000.00 via web

Interpreters were also important in the international communication process of the rescue attempt:

The voice of an interpreter on hand to translate the words of the miners and rescuers for the English-speaking audience watching at home, could sometimes be heard directing the miners to get out of the way of the camera set up to beam images across the planet.
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=177177

Interpreters were also used to communicate Presidential speeches abroad, and Chile's President, Sebastian Pinera, even showed up or own PM by speaking to him in fluent English.

All in all languages were at the heart of international affairs. So if you want to get ahead in the world - learn languages!

Win a Trip to Galicia!

The Spanish Tourist Office and the Consejería de Educación have launched a competition on the Camino de Santiago. The competition is open to primary and secondary school teaching staff in UK schools providing Spanish as a foreign language.
Entries should consist of ideas to develop school projects and activities aimed at disseminating the history, geography and cultural legacy of the “Camino de Santiago”. Entries must be submitted by the 28th of September by e-mail to info.uk@educacion.es.

Prizes:
Schools submitting a proposal will receive a set of reading material.
The teacher presenting the winning project will be awarded a trip to Galicia for two people, including flights and accommodation for either
- A 7 day walking trip on the “Camino de Santiago inglés” (110 kms approx)
- or a 4 night stay to visit the cities of La Coruña and Santiago de Compostela.
The winner will be announced on the 31st of October 2010.

Further information is available from the websites of:
- Spanish Tourist Office
http://www.spain.info
e-mail: info.londres@tourspain.es
Tel. 0207 486 8077

Consejería de Educación
http://www.educacion.es/exterior/uk
e-mail: info.uk@educacion.es
Tel. 0207 727 2462

Additional information on El Camino de Santiago and Galicia:
Turgalicia
http://www.turgalicia.es
Xacobeo
http://www.xacobeo.es/en
The Confraternity of St James
http://www.csj.org.uk

Why Learn Languages?

We often hear the "Why learn languages?" cry when people rely on English as being one of the current international languages. However, one must be careful in setting presumpions about the prowess of English in the world's eyes, especially when you are not on your own home turf (WARNING: this makes uncomfortable watching):



"Just imagine a German Reporter demanding that our own Mr Milliband, his counterpart, answers his questions in German!" José Picardo, Teacher, Nottingham High School